Drainers And Energizers

While working with a client the other day, our conversation centered around those activities which drain us and which give us energy. In a people helping profession, it's wise to consider drainers and energizers to help avoid burnout.

Lori Smith, of Foundation Coaching, lists a series of questions to determine whether something is a strength or passion:

1. Where do you experience your most rapid learning?
2. When do you feel that you're most "in your zone" or "in the flow"?
3. What do you feel a strong desire or yearning to do more of?
4. Where do you most easily and effortlessly tap into your intuition?
5. Where do you feel your greatest sense of satisfaction?
6. What do you feel most passionate about, and why?

She has also developed a list of questions to help determine whether something is NOT a strength or passion:

1. When do you feel a sense of dread and drudgery?
2. What do you do or perform poorly?
3. What do you feel relieved about NOT having to do?
4. What makes you feel unenthusiastic and frustrated?
5. What makes you want to procrastinate by putting it off?

Strong people helpers know the difference between what drains and what energizes them. What about you? Do you know the difference? If you do, you are most likely Serving Strong!

Comments

[Linda Stoll]

Energy Drainers is a huge issue ... those people, emotions, things that get into our way of being all God has created us to be ... sapping the limited amount of energy that we are blessed with each day.

It's powerful to name those people, emotions, things that drain us dry - and figure out how best to respond.

Good stuff!
Linda

[Scott Couchenour]

Linda - You're right. Putting a label on the things that drain us gives us a greater sense of control over them. Then we can bring them to God and, with His direction, better deal with them so we continue to serve strong.